pyrohamish wrote:so im a bit new to 4wdin
iv got a vit LWB with free wheeling hubs
is it bad to
a) drive in low range 4wd without hubs engaged
b) drive in high 4wd with hugs engaged on bitumen
c) drive in high 2wd with hubs engaged
thanks
a) Can be, often not
b) definately Yes
c) No
pyrohamish wrote:for what particular reason is that? for each of them, jsut trying to build up my knowledge here
a) Low range 1st gear enables the engine to deliver more torque to the axles than high range. With the hubs engaged this torque is spread between the front and rear axles. Without the hubs engaged the rear axle has to take the lot. So If you are in Low 1st and you are pulling hard with lots of right foot then it probably not a good idea to not have the hubs engaged. However if you are just want to go slow and you are not using much throttle then you will do no harm? (cheapest way to get low range two wheel drive actually)
b) Bitumen is a very high traction surface. when you go round a corner then front wheels travel further than the back wheels, so they have to travel faster. But in 4wd (high or low, doesn't matter) and the hubs engaged the transmission forces both front wheels and back wheels to travel the same speed. So either you force the tyres to slip on this high traction surface or the transmission breaks. Usually the tyres will slip wearing them out quickly, but do this long enough fatigue takes its toll and something will break.
c) Some suzukis came with the front hubs permanently engaged. In 2wd the front wheel are not connected so the wheels can travel faster than the back. However you will be turning the front axles, diff and tail shaft unneccessarily. This will use a little more power, hence use a little more fuel, and be wearing them out unneccessarily. (Saying that however, if you haven't been in 4wd for a while, is a good idea to occasionally engage the hubs to splash the oil around the front diff and keep it lubricated)
hope that helps